North East Football Writers’ Association: Defoe and Pickford win prestigious awards

Jermain Defoe is the North East Football Writers’ Association’s 2016 footballer of the year. His Sunderland team-mate Jordan Pickford is Young Player of the Year.

The third award of the year for Women’s player of the year, goes to England and Manchester City captain Stephanie Houghton.

Defoe said: “I feel very much at home in the North East, so to win this award is a real honour. The fans here are very knowledgeable and so passionate - football is their life and that makes it a great place for any player to play football. I would like to thank the North East Football Writers for voting for me and the Sunderland fans for their amazing support, they have been behind me from day one and I dedicate this award to them. Sunderland is a very special football club that I know will be part of me forever”.

Defoe becomes the 37th winner of the North East writers’ award, and follows former Sunderland strikers Darren Bent, Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn and Marco Gabbiadini.